Towards better software process quality using LAPPI

SPI (Software Process Improvement) is undeniably important. Understanding the current state of software processes and their problem points is vital if we want any kind of improvement to happen in the way software is produced. Without understanding where we stand at the moment, the improvement resources, in most cases scarce to begin with, can easily be misplaced. So where to start from when aiming to initiate SPI?

‘LAPPI’ (Light-weight Technique to Practical Process Modeling and Improvement Target Identification) technique aims to solve this problem. The technique is suited to organizations of all sizes, and can be integrated with various SPI initiatives. LAPPI was developed incrementally in multiple academia-industry collaboration projects and by industry actors themselves. The LAPPI technique has been used in over 30 companies with excellent results. The technique enables modeling the current process (not the one that the quality manual tells the company is following - but the one that is actually followed in daily work) and can identify the points of improvement in the process. Based on LAPPI’s results, it is easy to start implementing improvements.

LAPPI focuses on people. It emphasizes the roles and responsibilities in the software process. Who is actually responsible in which process phase and what information is needed to enable the right people to do their job? In the end, process is always only as good as the people implementing it.

See below what software professionals think of the technique.

“Makes things [how processes really are executed] visible in a way that other methods tried do not”, “Opens discussion in a way that is not enabled by normal process assessments”, “Makes you feel like a part of the effort, good for motivation”, “Makes challenges visible and makes it easier to talk about them”, “Makes it easier to be honest [about how work is actually done in our company]”, “Easy to apply, doesn’t require any special skills, all you need to know is what you do in your day-to-day job”

So why not try LAPPI in your company? For more information, contact Anu Raninen, anu.raninen@spinet.fi